Many friends and people I meet ask me how I manage do integrate and be happy here in Norway. They are impressed because the weather and the culture are totally different from Brazil. When they ask me, what I usually say is:
– I am positive and I play an active role in order to integrate.
It’s not easy when you have to take two (or more) steps back professionally, change the course of your life. Having no roots or previous life here doesn’t help either. You can get confused and feel fragile. Some locals have no idea how a rude answer can hurt the immigrant.
Since foreigners have no roots in Norway yet, you should create bonds to connect you here. Even if you’re not staying forever, having the sense of belonging makes us much happier.
From my first year in Norway almost eight years ago, many newcomers have asked me for advice and help. From my experience and studies, I can give you advice to help you integrate here in Norway.
1- Learn Norwegian. I know there are some jobs here where you can speak only English. So why bother? Because it’s in Norway you live. You should speak Norwegian. It makes a difference to understand what’s going on in the government, in the society, how natives think the way they do. Some information and conversations will only come to you in Norwegian. There are great courses, both classroom and online, plus apps. Check how I learned to speak Norwegian here .
2- Be curious about the Norwegian culture. Remember that, in a way or another, you chose to come to Norway. Through a country’s history and culture you can understand a lot about its people. Understanding how Norwegians behave the way they do is a wise way to avoid prejudice, build your happiness and feel at home in Norway. There are many ways to learn about the Norwegian culture. Go to the theater, read books , check Facebook groups, newspapers, go to museums, work at a kindergarten, at a store, go somewhere you meet locals, the public library always has events for the whole family, work as a volunteer, see Norwegian films, listen to Norwegian music, read my blog 😉 . Post about Norwegian’s private personality here.
3- Be positive and lower your expectations. Isn’t it contradictory? Nope! This one actually applies to being happy in general, everywhere, anytime. When you see or read something that you find strange, don’t judge, don’t immediately compare with how things used to be in your homeland. Wait, give it some time. Think trough it first. Be open to another culture. Be patient. Learning a new language, the social codes, finding a job, adapting, it all takes time. Don’t give up just because you didn’t succeed in the first attempt. Or second. Or third. Living abroad forces us to think outside the box, innovate and find new solutions to new problems. On November 21st I’ll be holding a webinar to guide you to cope with the long dark Winter in Norway. It will be a livestream on Facebook. Check event here.
4- Make friends. No matter if your family is here and you feel complete, friends make life easier, lighter, funnier, more colorful. I have both foreigners and Norwegians in my social circle. Sometimes it’s not easy to get into Norwegians’ lives, but I have a collection of cool tips on other posts and I’ve done a livestream about it on Facebook. When I moved to Norway and wanted to make friends, I sometimes got frustrated because I wanted to make jokes in Norwegian (like I used to do in Brazil), but I couldn’t. Just give it some time. Soon you will be able to be the same colorful and interesting you in Norwegian as you were in your homeland. Check my tips on how to make friends in Norway here.
5- Try to learn and do things that Norwegians do. It won’t damage who you are inside, it will improve who you are inside. Plus you will understand better the Norwegian way of life and feel more integrated. You don’t need to go skiing if you don’t like it, but going hiking in the mountains doesn’t require that much balance. The weather in Norway is very challenging sometimes. Darkness in the Winter, wind and rain during the year. The good news is: there are appropriate clothes for all kinds of weather here. Don’t be afraid to leave the house and walk in the rain like natives do. Give it a chance. I have written about it. https://makingnorwaymyhome.com/lets-take-a-walk-norwegians-and-the-fresh-air-effect/
I hope this post can be useful for you to be happy and make Norway your home. I’d love to read your comments, how these tips have worked out for you.
Subscribe so that you make sure to get the cool content by e-mail, plus backstage stories and pics.
Very good.